openmoko

[ajbrun]

openmoko.com

Anyone know much about this?

I really hope it amounts to something good in the end with the backing from the developer community, and could possibly compete with popular phone systems out now. My only worry is that it doesn't already have the popularity that LG or Apple have now. It's not as good looking either .

[UltraMagnus]

i really hope something comes of this, unfortunately if you read their wiki you will see

What you can expect

* a functional bootloader with support for firmware upgrades
* a functional Linux kernel with basic drivers for the various hardware subsystems, with small bugs here and there
* a basic, simple linux distribution based on OpenEmbedded, that you have to install yourself as rootfs image using USB DFU
* all the source code that we have at this point in time, and the corresponding build system
* mailing lists


What you CAN NOT expect yet

* reliable means of making phone calls, esp. not from the UI
* reliable means of sending/receiving SMS, esp. not from the UI
* integrated GPRS data access
* bluetooth integration (basic bluez driver works)
* proper power management (i.e. no reasonable battery life yet)
* ringtone (or other) profile management
* network preferences (call deflection, manual operator selection, ...)
* a complete application framework where third party application developers can write apps that easily integrate with the OpenMoko world

[ajbrun]

That's because it's still in development. That's the whole point. You can get hold of a development copy now with those features, so you can join the community and start developing. Or you can wait for the full release where it will be fully available to the public. For example, the next hardware development release in December will have additions of a faster CPU, 2 accelerometers, graphics accelerator and wi-fi. The list you gave gives software limitations, which are also being developed on. This process happens with every device, only we normally don't get to see it.

RTFM (always wanted to say that )

[chrestomanci]

I have been following this project for nearly a year now, unfortunately it has suffered quite a few delays compared with the early promise.

They did make a first rev of hardware (the GTA01), that they sold in quantity in the early summer. Quite a lot of people brought them and have started developing interesting applications. I would have brought a device then, except I was short of money, and decided to wait for the next rev (GTA02) with WiFi and accelerometers, which was due in September, but has now been delayed, probably till early next year.

The main phone software is progressing, and according to the mailing list, it is now possible to carry the device as a phone and make phone calls. (but not text messages or anything else). I get the impression that development is proceeding fairly quickly.

In addition to the 'offical' Gnome and X.org based Gui platform, Troltech did a rapid port of their QT-embedded based phone platform (the same used on the Greenphone) to the GTA01 hardware. Apparently it works better, but has much less capability for expansion because there is no X server.

There are also rumours that Both Sun and Google are using the same hardware, and Linux OS, for their Java and Android phone platforms. The Google Android phone is unlikely to be very open, based on their past history, they will give early access to their business partners (phone manufacturers, and networks), and only grudgingly release the minimum amount of source code they can get away with when the devices go on sale, probably in a year.

Overall I still think the project has a lot of potential. The idea of having a completely open phone running linux, excites me a great deal, The hardware specification is quite good (VGA screen, GPS, bluetooth, touch screen, WiFi), the only thing missing is a 3G interface. It could forfil the potential that series 60 has failed to achieve, due to buggyness of the platform. (I work for Nokia BTW)

Ultimately, I think the OpenMoko will always be a fringe project. When it was set up there where high hopes that it could go into completion with the iPhone, but just like linux on the desktop, that was never a plausible short term aim. There are other linux phones out there, but they are locked down and the user is not able to change them or install new software. A more serous competitor would be a future N800 based device. If Nokia added a phone interface to that, they would have a world beating smartphone. So far they have not done so, and I can't understand why not, but if they did, then OpenMoko would become just a footnote in the history of mobile phones.

[UltraMagnus]

There are also rumours that Both Sun and Google are using the same hardware, and Linux OS, for their Java and Android phone platforms. The Google Android phone is unlikely to be very open, based on their past history, they will give early access to their business partners (phone manufacturers, and networks), and only grudgingly release the minimum amount of source code they can get away with when the devices go on sale, probably in a year.

this does seem like a real shame if your predictions are true, android has the potential to revolutionise phones, and not being open will be a big shame and a big hit to the GNU philosophy

[ajbrun]

Would I be correct in thinking that the next development release of the phone (GTA02) will be the same phone that will eventually be released to the public? The only difference being the version of software that's used?

If that's right, I might get myself one before the full release and watch as it develops.

[chrestomanci]

Would I be correct in thinking that the next development release of the phone (GTA02) will be the same phone that will eventually be released to the public? The only difference being the version of software that's used?

That is the plan.

Most of the delays on the project are from the problems FIC has had with getting the hardware design right, and getting the parts to mass produce them, so they won't want to design and build another hardware version if they don't have to.

The main fly in the ointment is support for GSM 850MHz, which is used in rural areas of North America. The GSM module was supposed to be quad band (850,900,1800 and 1900MHz), but someone messed up (probably TI who supply the chipset), and the 850MHz band does not work, so as a result Americans can only use the phone in cities. It may take a major hardware rev, (and another 2 months) to cure that

If that's right, I might get myself one before the full release and watch as it develops.

I plan to do that myself.

[ajbrun]

Thanks. I might look at getting one on the next hardware release then .